World Cup 2026: How Ghana can end England’s unbeaten record against African nations

England may enter Tuesday’s World Cup showdown as favourites, but Ghana have reasons to believe they can become the first African nation to defeat the Three Lions on football’s biggest stage.

The Group L encounter in Boston pits together two teams that began their campaigns with victories. England impressed in a 4-2 win over Croatia, while Ghana needed a dramatic stoppage-time strike from Caleb Yirenkyi to edge Panama 1-0.

History appears firmly on England’s side. The Three Lions have faced African opposition eight times at the World Cup and remain unbeaten, recording five wins and three draws. Their record includes matches against Morocco, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Algeria and Senegal.

However, a closer look at those results suggests England’s dominance has not been as overwhelming as the statistics indicate.

Only two of England’s eight World Cup matches against African opponents have been won by more than one goal. Cameroon pushed them to extra time in 1990, Nigeria and Algeria held them to goalless draws, while Tunisia required a late Harry Kane winner to be beaten in 2018.

Ghana will take encouragement from those performances as they seek to make history.

One of the key battlegrounds could be England’s central defence. John Stones and Ezri Konsa started against Croatia but looked vulnerable at times, particularly when pressed aggressively. Ghana captain Jordan Ayew may have received criticism from some supporters following the Panama game, but his work rate remains a major weapon.

The veteran forward registered an astonishing number of high-intensity pressures against Panama and could be tasked with disrupting England’s build-up play from the back.

Ghana’s pace in transition may provide their greatest route to success. Antoine Semenyo, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah and substitute Thomas Asante all possess the speed and directness needed to exploit space behind England’s attacking full-backs.

The likely return of Thomas Partey would also provide a significant boost. The experienced midfielder missed the opening game after being denied entry into Canada but is available in the United States and could add composure, leadership and defensive stability in midfield.

For Carlos Queiroz, stopping England’s star duo of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham remains the biggest challenge. Kane scored twice against Croatia, while Bellingham once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the world’s elite midfielders.

England’s attacking threat extends beyond those two, but Ghana may choose to focus their defensive efforts centrally and force England’s wide players to decide the game. Right winger Noni Madueke was dangerous but wasteful in the opener, while Barcelona’s new signing Anthony Gordon struggled to consistently influence proceedings.

If Ghana can remain compact, frustrate England and exploit counter-attacking opportunities, the Black Stars have the tools to cause one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.

England’s unbeaten World Cup record against African teams has stood for four decades. Ghana now have the chance to finally bring that remarkable streak to an end.